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The Airbus A350-1000ULR set a record for the longest flight by a commercial airliner at 24 hours and 24 minutes and 14,388 miles, paving the way for Qantas’ ultra-long-haul direct flight scheme.
The Daily Mail reported that with two sunrises and two sunsets, the Airbus A350-1000ULR passenger plane officially set the Guinness World Record for the longest flight distance by a commercial airliner of 14,388 miles, with a flight time of 24 hours and 24 minutes.
This mission is based on AirbusAustralia Part of Qantas Airways’ Project Sunrise. The airline will next year launch the two longest commercial direct flights in world history: Sydney to London, total length 10,573 miles; and from sydney to londonnew york city Whose total length is 11,000 miles. Both routes will last an astonishing 22 hours and are likely to revolutionize the way people fly, making long-haul nonstop travel mainstream. Both routes will reduce travel time by four hours compared to current journeys, which require refueling mid-way.
The Guinness World Record-breaking flight took off from Melbourne, flew over Sydney, then flew across the Pacific Ocean towards Los Angeles, crossing the International Date Line along the way. Then, the plane crossed the North American continent and the Atlantic Ocean, flew south to the United Kingdom, flew over London and finally landed in Toulouse, France. As the plane crossed three continents and two oceans, the crew witnessed two sunsets and two sunrises.
The flight distance was equal to 12,503 nautical miles, 23,155 kilometers, 14,388 miles, and the flight time was more than 24 hours. There were 13 people on board, including three Airbus test pilots, two Qantas pilots and five Airbus flight test engineers. It also has two Airbus design engineers and a representative of the International Aeronautical Federation.
Lars Wagner, CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft, said this achievement reflects Airbus’s pioneering and innovative spirit. Responding to the challenge presented by Qantas, the team worked together to efficiently and cost-effectively extend the range of the A350-1000 aircraft, enabling it to fly the longest commercial flight in history. “Today, we can say that the A350 is truly the undisputed leader of Great Wall flights.”
As of the end of October 2026, the A350 series passenger aircraft has received 70 customers and 1,628 orders. More than 740 aircraft have been introduced to the commercial aviation market by 42 airlines operating long-haul routes around the world. Qantas has also ordered 12 A350-1000ULR passenger aircraft under Project Sunrise. The first aircraft is expected to be delivered in April 2027, and officially launched on the Sydney-London route later the same year.
Summary FAQ
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This Airbus A350-1000ULR completed the flight of 14,388 miles, approximately 23,155 kilometers, with a total time of 24 hours and 24 minutes, officially setting a new Guinness World Record for the longest distance flight by a commercial airliner.
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The flight took off from Melbourne, flew to Sydney, then crossed the Pacific, North America and the Atlantic and finally arrived in Toulouse, France. En route, it crossed three continents and two oceans, and the crew witnessed two sunrises and two sunsets.
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Qantas plans to launch two direct routes from Sydney to London and Sydney to New York City, each taking about 22 hours, and shortening the current flight by about 4 hours, which requires refueling en route. The goal is to change the long-haul flight model.
